Hungry and desperate

Families struggling to make ends meet and feed their families have turned to charity, with Renfrewshire Foodbank now the third most used in the country. making it the third most used site in the country.

Renfrewshire residents are facing an increasing struggle to make ends meet and feed their families.

The financial noose has tightened for many, but new findings emerged yesterday which illustrate just how drastic the situation has become for some.

Bosses at Renfrewshire Foodbank say demand has soared so high it is now the third busiest centre in Scotland.

Meanwhile, Renfrewshire Council chiefs confirmed that the authority has had to issue a staggering £2million in emergency handouts to families in crisis in the space of just 12 months.

The Trussell Trust, a Christian charity, run 45 foodbanks across Scotland and launched a Renfrewshire branch in September 2012.

Project manager Roslyn McVeigh said: “We’ve just been told we’re the third busiest in Scotland.

“We have about 80 parcels going out a week, which means we’re feeding at least 100 people.

“We’ve not yet had to turn anyone away without food but there has maybe been less food on occasion.

“Demand has definitely increased in Renfrewshire.”

A foodbank parcel is designed to last at least three days and contains non-perishable food like UHT milk, tins of soup, coffee, tea, rice, pasta, biscuits and cereal.

For many families, it is the difference between having a meal or going hungry.

Roslyn said the charity works hard to make sure people don’t depend on their handouts.

“There are guidelines in place, which means people only get three vouchers in a six-month period,” she explained.

“We check with the referring agency and, if someone is desperately in need and are actively trying to change their circumstances, they may get a fourth or fifth voucher.

“We want to make sure the person is doing everything they can to sort out the situation which made them come to us.

“We want to avoid a case where people come to depend on us.”

Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Jim Sheridan claims the UK Government’s welfare reforms are pushing more people into poverty.

The Labour man said: “While I respect and admire the generosity of those who donate to foodbanks, I do not believe they should be necessary in today’s Britain.

“That they are, is shameful to us all.

“For Iain Duncan Smith to come out and say he is happy people are being forced to visit foodbanks to feed their families is disgusting, and fuels the view of my constituents that the Tories are a privileged elite, looking after the interests of the rich, and who simply don’t get the harsh realities of day-to-day life that so many people in Renfrewshire are struggling with.”

Meanwhile, the latest council statistics reveal that £1.15m was paid out from its welfare pot to those needing emergency cash – but that fund is now running low.

The local authority was given the money by the Scottish Government last April and it has been distributed as crisis grants and community care grants, which are designed to keep people out of care.

It has now been forced to top up the fund by £150,000, with depute council leader Mike Holmes appealing for more cash to be made available by Holyrood ministers.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “During the first week of March, our Scottish Welfare Fund budget, given to us from the Scottish Government, was used up.

“Not only does this show that many people have been pushed to the brink by harsh welfare cuts and the rising cost of living – but also that Renfrewshire should have received more support from the Scottish Government.

“I’m glad we were able to bridge this gap to make sure families facing hardship still have access to this crucial support fund.”

As well as crisis handouts and community care grants, the local authority has shelled out £785,924 in discretionary housing payments – with most spent on alleviating pressure on those suffering under the bedroom tax – bringing the overall handout total to around £2m.

The money is given to those struggling to pay bills and has proven vital to thousands who have had their housing benefit cut by up to a quarter under the spare room subsidy.

Renfrewshire’s Citizens Advice Bureau has also reported a surge in families seeking help and, in particular, advice on applying for the Scottish Welfare Fund.

A spokeswoman aid: “We have seen an increase in people requesting help with their applications to the fund, which reflects the overall increase in the level of debt and benefit problems we are seeing in the bureau.”

? Help is available for families who find themselves in deep financial trouble.

People facing crisis or hardship can apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund by calling 0300 300 0204.